Group J World Cup 2026: Schedule, Teams, Standings & Results
Group J World Cup 2026 features defending champions Argentina with Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan. The group runs June 16 to 27. Argentina opened against Algeria in Kansas City.
Here is the bottom line. Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to reach the round of 32, and Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time top scorer. Austria sit second. Algeria and Jordan drew 0-0 and must win on the final day to survive.
Below you get the full schedule with ET kickoff times, live standings, and results. You also see how to watch every Group J game in the US.
Group J World Cup 2026 Teams
Four teams make up Group J. Argentina enter as world champions and the world’s top-ranked side. Austria return in strong form. Algeria bring attacking flair, and Jordan make history just by being here. The FIFA rankings below show the final list before the tournament.
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Ranking | How They Qualified | Best World Cup Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | CONMEBOL | 1 | South American qualifying | Champions (1978, 1986, 2022) |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | UEFA | 24 | European qualifying | Third place (1954) |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | CAF | 28 | African qualifying | Round of 16 (2014) |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | AFC | 63 | Asian qualifying | Debut (first appearance) |
Tap any team name above for its full and final 26-man squad.
Group J World Cup 2026 Schedule
Group J plays six matches over two weeks. Argentina faced Algeria in the opener. The final two matches kick off at the same time on June 27.
All times below are Eastern Time (ET).
| Date | Match | Kickoff (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, June 16 | Argentina 3-0 Algeria | 9:00 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Wed, June 17 | Austria 3-1 Jordan | 12:00 a.m. | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
| Mon, June 22 | Argentina 2-0 Austria | 1:00 p.m. | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Mon, June 22 | Jordan 0-0 Algeria | 11:00 p.m. | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
| Sat, June 27 | Algeria vs Austria | 10:00 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Sat, June 27 | Jordan vs Argentina | 10:00 p.m. | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
Every Group J match is in the United States, across Kansas City, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Dallas. The two final games kick off together at 10 p.m. ET on June 27.
World Cup 2026 Group J Standings
The standings below update live as results come in. The top two teams advance. The best third-placed teams can also reach the round of 32. After matchday 2, Argentina have qualified and lead on six points. Austria are second on three. Algeria and Jordan have one point each after a goalless draw and must win on June 27 to stay alive.
FIFA changed the tiebreakers for 2026. If teams finish level on points, head-to-head results now come first. The order is head-to-head points, then head-to-head goal difference, then head-to-head goals scored. If teams are still level, FIFA uses overall goal difference, then overall goals scored, then the fair play record, and finally the FIFA ranking.
Group J Results
Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a statement start for the champions, with Austria beating Jordan 3-1 the same round through Romano Schmid, an own goal, and a late Marko Arnautović penalty after Ali Olwan had levelled.
On June 22, Argentina sealed top spot. Lionel Messi scored twice in a 2-0 win over Austria to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, sending Argentina into the round of 32. Jordan and Algeria drew 0-0 in Santa Clara, leaving both needing a win on the final day.
Matchday 3 lands on June 27. Algeria vs Austria and Jordan vs Argentina kick off together, with second place on the line. The latest scores appear in the results grid below.
|
Argentina
|
Austria
|
Algeria
|
Jordan
|
|
||
| 1 | Argentina | 2–0 | 3–0 | |||
| 2 | Austria | 3–1 | ||||
| 3 | Algeria | |||||
| 4 | Jordan | 1–2 |
How to Watch Group J World Cup 2026 in the US
You have clear options in both English and Spanish.
In English, watch on FOX and FS1. Select matches also stream free on the Tubi app.
In Spanish, watch on Telemundo and Universo. You can stream the Spanish feed on Peacock.
Algeria vs Austria and Jordan vs Argentina close the group on June 27, kicking off together so qualification is decided in real time. Check out today’s TV schedule here.
Who will win Group J?
Argentina have won the group. The defending champions beat Austria 2-0 to reach the round of 32, with Lionel Messi now the World Cup’s all-time top scorer under coach Lionel Scaloni.
Austria are well placed for second on three points and face Algeria on June 27. Algeria and Jordan, level on one point, must win to have a chance. Second place is still in the balance.
FAQ About Group J World Cup 2026
Who is leading Group J at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina lead Group J and have qualified for the round of 32 after a 2-0 win over Austria. They have six points, Austria are second on three, and Algeria and Jordan have one each after a 0-0 draw. The live table above shows the current order.
Did Lionel Messi break the World Cup goal record?
Yes. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria to reach 18 career World Cup goals, passing Miroslav Klose to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. It is Messi’s record sixth World Cup and, almost certainly, his last.
Can Argentina win back-to-back World Cups?
They are trying. Argentina arrive as defending champions, having won their third title in 2022, after 1978 and 1986. No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. They reached the round of 32 with wins over Algeria and Austria and remain among the favorites.
Is this Jordan’s first World Cup?
Yes. The 2026 World Cup is Jordan’s first ever. They qualified through Asian qualifying after reaching the 2023 Asian Cup final. They lost 3-1 to Austria, then drew 0-0 with Algeria, and must beat Argentina on June 27 to have any chance of advancing.
Do Algeria and Austria share any World Cup history?
Yes, and it is infamous. At the 1982 World Cup, Algeria beat West Germany, but West Germany and Austria then played out a result that sent both European teams through and knocked Algeria out. The episode, known as the Disgrace of Gijón, led FIFA to make final group games kick off at the same time. The two meet again on June 27.
What channel is Group J on in the US?
In English, Group J matches air on FOX and FS1. Select games stream free on Tubi. In Spanish, watch on Telemundo and Universo, or stream the Spanish feed on Peacock.
Group J World Cup 2026 belongs to Argentina, who reached the round of 32 as Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time top scorer. Austria hold second, with Algeria and Jordan needing wins on June 27. Bookmark this page for live standings and results. Catch every Group J match on FOX, FS1, Telemundo, and Peacock.
